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Organized into 9 series:
Series 1, Photographic Files, ca. 1887-1990, 10 cubic ft.
Series 2, Administrative Files, ca. 1887-2006, 51.13 cubic ft.
Series 3, Hedwig Michel Files, ca. 1922-1982, 20.72 cubic ft.
Series 4, Member Files, ca. 1874-1985, 28.96 cubic ft.
Series 5, Publications, 1886-1993, 42.04 cubic ft.
Series 6, Event Files, ca. 1888-1989, 8.5 cubit ft.
Series 7, Scrapbooks, ca. 1900-1993, 13.89 cubic ft.
Series 8, Music Files, 1829-1970, 30.75 cubic ft.
Series 9, Audio Visual, 1959-1998, 2.25 cubic ft.
Series 2, Administrative Files, is divided into ten subseries:
Subseries A, Foundational Documents
Subseries B, Membership Records
Subseries C, Correspondence Files
Subseries D, Financial Records
Subseries E, Legal Records
Subseries F, Properties and Land Records
Subseries G, Koreshan Store Records
Subseries H, Trailer Park Division Records
Subseries I, Pioneer Education Foundation Records
Subseries J, Subject Files
Series 3, Hedwig Michel Files, is divided into four subseries:
Subseries A, Correspondence Files
Subseries B, Financial Records
Subseries C, Legal Records
Subseries D, Subject Files
Series 5, Publications, is divided into three subseries:
Subseries A, Koreshan Literature
Subseries B, Koreshan Periodicals
Subseries C, General Publications
Series 8, Music Files, is divided into six subseries:
Subseries A, Sheet Music
Subseries B, Songbooks
Subseries C, Books
Subseries D, Music Journals
Subseries E, Phonograph Records
Subseries F, Miscellaneous
Arranged alphabetically and/or chronologically within series and subseries; see series descriptions for specific arrangements.
Restrictions:
Terms Governing Use:
Biographical/Historical:
The Koreshan Unity was a late-19th/early-20th century religious utopian community founded in upstate New York by Dr. Cyrus Teed. Koreshanity was born in the wake of two related movements: the millennial fervor that swept early- to mid-19th century central and western New York State, a region that became known as the "Burned-Over District" due to the zealous fire-and-brimstone evangelism of the period; and the utopian communalism that started to gain large numbers of adherents during the same period and into the later 19th century. Among the Unity's unique beliefs was their guiding principal that the Earth existed as a concave sphere, that Earth's populace lived inside the Earth and the planets existed in the center of the sphere where the Earth's core would otherwise be.
A Utica, New York physician with interests in alchemy, physics, and metaphysics, Cyrus Teed conceived what would become known as Koreshanity in 1869 after experiencing a late-night religious vision in his laboratory. During what he called his "illumination," he saw a beautiful woman who revealed to him a series of universal truths that formed the fundamental principles of Koreshan belief. It is undetermined whether Teed's experience followed being knocked unconscious by an electrical shock, as some say, or a period of intense meditation, as others say.
Following his illumination, Teed began writing and speaking about his beliefs. He joined a Shaker community in 1878, then in 1880 founded a communal settlement in Moravia, New York. The community failed, as did a subsequent attempt in New York City. Teed's persuasive oratory finally enabled him to assemble a firm core of followers in Chicago in the late 1880s, incorporating his organization there as the College of Life in 1886. Teed assumed the name Koresh in 1891 and, a few years later, began moving his followers to Estero, Florida, where he intended to establish the "New Jerusalem."
As members moved to the Estero settlement, the growing community constructed several buildings including residences; a publishing house; a machine shop; a bakery; a general store; a "Planetary Court" housing the seven women who managed the Unity; an Art Hall used for plays, concerts, lectures, religious activities, and other events; and a power plant that provided electricity not only to the Koreshan community but also to surrounding areas well before the rest of southwest Florida had access to electrical power.
As the Koreshan community grew and flourished in the early 1900s, tensions arose between the Unity and politicians and citizens of nearby Fort Myers, leading to a brawl on October 13, 1906, in which Teed received several head wounds. His health declined quickly following the fight, and he died on December 22, 1908.
Reincarnation was one of the truths revealed during Teed's illumination nearly 40 years earlier, and he and his followers expected that his death (and theirs) would be followed by physical resurrection and immortality. They placed the deceased Teed in a bath tub to await his resurrection until, a week later, the Lee County health officer ordered the dismayed followers to bury the body. The mausoleum in which they finally buried Teed was washed to sea during an October 1921 hurricane, and the body was never found.
Despite infighting and decreasing membership following the death of their charismatic founder, the Koreshan Unity continued for many years under the leadership of loyal followers and members. By 1940, only 35 mostly elderly members remained among deteriorating buildings and untended grounds. That year, Hedwig Michel, a German Jewish immigrant, moved to the community and worked to improve conditions. In addition to nursing the elderly members, she refurbished the Planetary Court, reorganized and remodeled the store, and restored the gardens. In 1960, Michel, known as "The Last Koreshan," became president of the Koreshan Unity and worked with state officials to ensure the preservation of the site of their original settlement as a state historic site. She died in 1982, the last person officially admitted to Koreshan membership and the last to live at the site they had settled almost a century earlier.
Summary:
The Koreshan Unity papers collection consists of original writings, letters, photographs, and other organizational and personal records of founders and members of the Koreshan Unity. The collection documents the economic and cultural development of southwest Florida; the relationship between religion and community; the Koreshans' methods of integrating concepts of science into their religious cosmology and cosmogony; the Koreshans' sometimes tumultuous relations with surrounding communities; and major leadership roles of women in a community whose belief system included equality of the sexes. The collection also provides valuable documentation of the overall history and development of millennial communities and communal utopias in the United States in the middle- to late-19th century into the early 20th century.
The collection includes correspondence among Koreshans and between them, outside relatives, and others. In addition to papers of Koreshan Unity founder Cyrus Teed ("Koresh"), the collection includes papers of key early members who formed the nucleus of Koreshan organization, community, and culture; member writings and tracts on cosmogony, cellular cosmogony, science, religion, philosophy, horticulture, and other topics reflecting the beliefs and ideas of the community and their methods of integrating concepts of science into their religious cosmology and cosmogony; histories of member families and the organization; and administrative and operational records of the organization, from early constitutions and other foundation documents to minutes, correspondence, and business and financial records.
Photographic prints and glass plate negatives document the early development of Koreshan life and beliefs and the lives and activities of Koreshan members; of note are photographic images of Cyrus Teed's body after his death as his followers awaited his resurrection. Organizational and administrative records provide evidence of the organization, growth, and development of the Koreshan Unity as a religious, scientific, business, and social community. A great deal of material relates to the Koreshans' cultural life, including personal correspondence about daily life, recipes, scripts for shows written and performed by members, and both original and commercial sheet music dating back to 1898.
The collection is organized into 9 series as described below.
SERIES 1: PHOTOGRAPHIC FILES, ca. 1887-1990, 10 cubic ft.
The photographic files contain thousands of photographs in the following formats: prints, postcards, 35mm negatives, glass plate negatives, lantern slides, and 35mm slides. The Koreshans developed an extensive and rich collection of photographs documenting the early development of Koreshan life and beliefs and the lives and activities of members spanning the life of the organization. In addition to portraits of Cyrus Teed and his family prior to the Koreshan years, images in the collection depict Koreshan members and headquarters in Chicago; development of the Koreshan Unity settlement in Estero, including gardens, the Bamboo Landing, residence buildings, the Art Hall, the Dining Hall, and other facilities; Koreshan activities such as plays, concerts, and festivals; and notable visitors including Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Of note are images of Cyrus Teed and other early founder and leaders; Koreshans with the Rectilineator used to demonstrate the concave nature of the earth's surface; Teed's body after his death as his followers awaited his resurrection; and the aftermath of the hurricanes of 1921 and 1926.
SERIES 2: ADMINISTRATIVE FILES, ca. 1887-2006, 51.13 cubic ft.
The Administrative Files series comprises 10 subseries: Foundational Documents, Membership Records, Correspondence Files, Financial Records, Legal Records, Pioneer Education Foundation Records, Properties and Land Records, Koreshan Store Records, Trailer Park Division Records, and Subject Files. All subseries are described below.
Subseries A: FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS, ca. 1887-1995, 3.08 cubic ft.
The Foundational Documents subseries consists of records documenting the formal establishment of the Koreshan Unity and its continuation from the late nineteenth through the twentieth century. Arranged alphabetically by topic and then chronologically, the Foundational Documents include, but are not limited to, annual reports, board of directors meeting files, by-laws, constitutions, and minutes. Of interest to researchers are the board of director files and minutes, which provide an understanding of the focus of Unity operations at specific points in their history as well as the larger shifts over the Unity's creation, expansion, maturation, and decline.
Subseries B: MEMBERSHIP RECORDS, ca. 1890-1986, 3.20 cubic ft.
The Membership Records subseries includes applicant files, membership lists, and guest books. Multiple stages of membership existed for prospective Koreshans. Initially, applicants entered a probationary period to explore the lifestyle and determine his or her future level of participation. This subseries contains administrative documentation of membership levels and related records.
Subseries C: CORRESPONDENCE FILES, ca. 1896-1989, 3.25 cubic ft.
The correspondence files are divided into two subgroups, the first arranged alphabetically by the creator's last and then first name, and the second arranged alphabetically by topic. Although there is no indication of the original order, the current arrangement reflects the organizational scheme imposed by later Koreshan Unity administrators, who enclosed the correspondence in envelopes with titles indicating a name or subject.
The correspondence subseries provides a sense of the administrative sphere of the Unity. It shows the wide range of contacts that the Unity had as well as main areas of interest. Of note are the Scientific and Geodetic Staff letters. Responsible for the Koreshan Unity Geodetic Survey that Koreshans believed provided proof of the Earth's concavity, staff correspondence discusses progress and findings as they traveled and tested the Rectilineator on Florida's Gulf Coast at Naples. Also of note are the various inquiry letters; while most pertain to Koreshan publishing efforts, they also give a sense of frequently asked questions and concerns from both members and the outside community.
Subseries D: FINANCIAL RECORDS, 1892-1990, 18.31 cubic ft.
Organized by topic and then arranged either chronologically or alphabetically depending upon the nature of the record, the financial records document accounting, general transactions, payroll, stock, and taxes. From the outset, the Koreshan Unity recognized the importance of maintaining their records. The size and content of this subseries are testament to that role. The accounting records are arranged by year and consist mainly of Unity banking documents and cumulative financial reports. The general transaction files are arranged by year and include bills, receipts and invoices. The payroll and tax records are arranged by year and give a sense of the business aspects of the Unity. Of interest are the stock files, which include agreements, meeting notes, stock holder lists, correspondence, external stock investments, and bound stock volumes. Taken together, these records provide a comprehensive view of the Unity as an American corporation.
Subseries E: LEGAL RECORDS, ca. 1897-1988, 2.03 cubic ft.
Organized by topic and then arranged either chronologically or alphabetically depending upon the nature of the record, the legal records reflect court cases, copyright, attorney fees, insurance, and last will and estate records. This subseries gives a good idea of the corporate side of the Unity. The Koreshans dealt with many different business ventures, owned hundreds of acres of land, and maintained the health and wellbeing of Unity members. These and other activities required legal action and documentation, evidenced by the large amount of insurance papers and attorney fees. Also, court case files give a detailed view of the Koreshan Unity's legal conflicts. More than once, tension between former Koreshan Unity members culminated in a court case. Often times issues of equal treatment and personal property fueled disputes. Issues of land ownership proved to be another contributing factor.
Subseries F: PROPERTIES AND LAND RECORDS, ca. 1888-1990, 13.11 cubic ft.
The Properties and Land Records are organized by topic and then arranged either chronologically or alphabetically depending upon the nature of the record. Topics reflect the nature of the record groupings found when the collection was in an unprocessed state and include: Abstract of Titles, Appraisals, Bonita Beach, Buildings, Contracts, Correspondence, Deeds, Estero Island, Highway 41, Location Certificates, Maps, Mound Key, Mortgages, Post Office, State Park, and Survey Records. Though most of the groups of records within this subseries are self-explanatory in name and function, two require additional description.
Highway 41: While Highway 41 is state owned and operated, it lies against Unity property. Its presence, especially during the 1970s when the Florida Department of Transportation wanted to either widen or re-direct the right of way, created discussions and arguments among all affected. This is evident in the correspondence, injunctions, and newspaper files within the subseries.
State Park: In 1961, after years of collaboration, the Unity deeded approximately 300 acres to the State of Florida. This "Gift to the People," as Koreshan President Hedwig Michel deemed it, aligned with Koreshanity's fundamental values of education, environmentalism, and preservation. The advancement, correspondence, report, and tourist materials within this portion of the Properties and Land subseries provide insight to the development of the Koreshan State Historic Site.
Subseries G: KORESHAN STORE RECORDS, ca. 1904-1963, 3.45 cubic ft.
The Koreshan Store Records are arranged alphabetically by topic and include financial, inventory, license, and Riverview Inn papers. Together, these records document the Koreshan Unity owned and operated store, built in 1894. Financial documents comprise the majority of this subseries, including general transaction and sales tax records that document the running a small, privately owned store. Used primarily as a general store for customers in the area, it also housed a restaurant, the Riverview Inn, in the mid-20th century.
Subseries H: TRAILER PARK DIVISION RECORDS, ca. 1940-1988, 3.15 cubic ft.
The Trailer Park Division Records are arranged alphabetically by topic and include correspondence, financial records, and legal papers. Together, these records document the Koreshan Unity-owned trailer park, which operated from the 1940s to the 1980s. Financial documents comprise the majority of this subseries. Accounting, rent, and general transaction records show much of what went into running a trailer park. The correspondence illustrates the daily operations of the park as well as the main issues of the tenants and park managers.
Subseries I: PIONEER EDUCATION FOUNDATION RECORDS, 1894-1981, 0.25 cubic ft.
The Pioneer Education Foundation Records are arranged alphabetically by topic. In 1972, the Unity incorporated the Pioneer Education Foundation in Florida, a non-profit offshoot of the Koreshan Unity primarily dedicated to services promoting lifelong learning. The organization also oversaw remaining Koreshan property, stocks, and other holdings. The subseries documents the curriculum, lectures, and membership of the foundation. Of note are the Pioneer University files, an early-20th century version of the Pioneer Education Foundation. These papers show the importance of education to the early Koreshans.
Subseries J: SUBJECT FILES, ca. 1900-2006, 1.45 cubic ft.
Arranged alphabetically by topic, the subject files contain many different types of records. Most of the subject files include processing and research done both by Florida Gulf Coast University and various individuals. In the mid-2000s, FGCU conducted a project to better understand the Koreshan Unity Papers. The main goal was to address and begin to remedy the disorganization of the collection. Beyond University related work, research papers are also prevalent within the subject files. The papers each focus on an aspect of the Koreshan Unity's history.
SERIES 3: HEDWIG MICHEL FILES, ca. 1922-1982, 20.72 cubic ft.
The Hedwig Michel Files Series comprises four subseries: Correspondence, Financial, Legal, and Subject Files. Although most of the Koreshan Unity Papers' original order is lost, much of Michel's files have retained their filing scheme. This series of boxes was contained and separated from all other portions of the collection, possibly a result of its more recent creation in Estero. While the majority of this series is in English, there are portions in German and French. When this is the case, it is noted in the folder listings. All subseries are described below.
Subseries A: CORRESPONDENCE FILES, ca. 1920-1982, 5.83 cubic ft.
The correspondence files are divided into two subgroups, the first arranged alphabetically by the creator's last and then first name, the second arranged chronologically within date ranges. The current arrangement reflects the organizational scheme imposed by later Koreshan Unity administrators, who enclosed the correspondence in envelopes with titles indicating a name, subject, or date.
The correspondence subseries provides a sense of the personal and administrative life of former Unity member, secretary, and President Hedwig Michel. It shows the wide range of contacts that Michel made and maintained throughout her life. Of interest are files documenting Michel's ties to professional organizations and local causes, the Florida Audubon Society, American Red Cross, and Chamber of Commerce. Of note are the correspondence files of Michel's husband, Joseph Levi, documenting part of her life before the Koreshan Unity. Correspondence files titled "German Reparations to Jewish Peoples" and "Unidentified" are entirely in German.
Subseries B: FINANCIAL RECORDS, 1954-1982, 1.2 cubic ft.
The Financial Records are divided into Accounting and General Transaction Files, both arranged chronologically. The subseries documents Michel's personal finances.
Subseries C: LEGAL RECORDS, ca 1922-1982, 0.25 cubic ft.
The Legal Records are organized by topic and arranged alphabetically. Of note are Michel's naturalization, marriage, and reparation papers. While most of the reparation papers are in German, records in French and English also appear.
Subseries D: SUBJECT FILES, ca. 1920-1982, 13.19 cubic ft.
The Subject Files are arranged alphabetically. The subseries includes a vast range of materials and is testament to Michel's myriad hobbies and areas of interest. The largest subject files include education, horticulture, and membership-related files. Newspaper clippings are prevalent within the subseries as well, owing to Michel's continuous monitoring of local newspapers for Estero and Koreshan Unity write-ups. As an avid writer of articles for newspapers and magazines, Michel produced a large collection of personal writings as well. Most detail local horticulture subjects and Unity history. Also of interest are Michel's German-language files. While the content of these files is not fully understood, it remains clear that they document Michel's life before the Unity and her continued ties to her first home.
SERIES 4: MEMBER FILES, ca. 1874-1985, 28.96 cubic ft.
The Member Files are arranged alphabetically by last name. When the creator or accumulator of the records was not discernible, the files were placed under "Unidentified" and were then arranged by record type. Evidence of earlier processing efforts is clear within a portion of the member correspondence where letters had been indexed, transcribed, and placed within binders separated by the member that collected them. This arrangement has been preserved and has been described as "bindered correspondence" at the box level.
Daily life is captured within the correspondence, manuscripts, and the various other personal papers of Koreshan members. At the Unity's height, there were upwards of 200 members in Estero. Many individuals and families shaped the history of the Koreshan Unity, but only a portion of their records remain within the Koreshan Unity Papers. In the Andrews, Bubbett, Silverfriend, and Rahn member files, researchers will find a wide range of materials that detail the Koreshan way of life. Of note are the diaries and journals of Virginia Andrews and Claude Rahn, both of which offer a more personal sense of the Unity.
SERIES 5: PUBLICATIONS, 1877-1993, 42.04 cubic ft.
The Publications series contains three subseries: Koreshan Literature, Koreshan Periodicals, and General Publications. These subseries are described below.
Subseries A: KORESHAN LITERATURE, ca. 1880-1980, 3.50 cubic ft.
The Koreshan Literature subseries includes tracts, pamphlets, and books created by the Koreshan Unity. Used primarily as outreach tools for prospective members and as religious texts for current members, the literature illustrates much on Koreshan Unity beliefs, principles, and purpose. The files are arranged alphabetically by title and are a great resource for researchers interested in the Unity's religious and scientific ideology.
Subseries B: KORESHAN PERIODICALS, 1887-1993, 32.88 cubic ft.
Arranged by title and then chronologically, the Koreshan Periodicals consist of Unity-created newspapers and journals. This subseries includes The Guiding Star and its 1889 successor, The Flaming Sword, both focused on Koreshan ideology. In 1906, political conflicts between Fort Myers citizens and the Unity lead to the publication of The American Eagle. As their most widely known periodical, The American Eagle initially focused on local and national political issues. Over the years, the newspaper shifted from political affairs to Florida horticulture. In addition, this subseries includes The Plowshare and Pruning Hook, published by San Francisco-based Koreshans, and The Salvator and Scientist, published by Allegheny-based Koreshans.
Subseries C: GENERAL PUBLICATIONS, ca. 1887-1985, 5.66 cubic ft.
The General Publications are those collected by the Koreshan Unity. Most of the included articles, pamphlets, and books date to the mid-20th century. With subjects ranging from Florida history and current events to religion, the general publications give some perspective to general reading habits of the Koreshans. Of interest are the Order of Theocracy periodicals and tracts, an off-shoot of the Koreshan Unity stationed in Fort Myers. The General Publications are arranged alphabetically by title.
SERIES 6: EVENT FILES, ca. 1888-1989, 8.5 cubic ft.
This series consists of event-specific files and plays. The event-specific files are arranged alphabetically and include programs, readings, and souvenirs that correspond to the event. Of interest are the Solar and Lunar Festival files. The Solar Festival, held annually in mid-October, honored Cyrus Teed's birthday (October 18). The Lunar Festival was a mid-April gathering that commemorated the birth of Annie G. Ordway (Victoria Gratia). Koreshans in Chicago and Estero celebrated the Solar and Lunar Festivals, and the event files provide insight into the social aspects of the Unity from its early stages to the late 1980s.
The plays are arranged alphabetically by title, and include a wide range of scripts, script edits, and musical accompaniment that the Unity used for entertainment throughout its history. Koreshan members created some of the plays, while others are mainstream productions. The plays cover a myriad of subjects, ranging from historical reenactments of the Unity to popular culture and politics.
SERIES 7: SCRAPBOOKS, ca. 1900-1993, 13.89 cubic ft.
This series consists of scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings and articles on both Unity and Fort Myers events. The information contained in the scrapbooks is useful in tracing the history and local events of Southwest Florida. All scrapbooks are arranged individually by topic.
SERIES 8: MUSIC FILES, 1829-1970, 30.75 cubic ft.
The Music series contains six subseries: Sheet Music, Songbooks, Books, Music Journals, Phonograph Records, and Miscellaneous or unidentifiable items, all arranged alphabetically within each box. This series contains commercial music that the Koreshan Unity collected for use by their band or orchestra, in public event performances, and as a general source of entertainment for Unity members.
SERIES 9: AUDIO VISUAL, 1959-1998, 2.25 cubic ft.
The Audio Visual series contains reel to reels, cassette tapes, and video tapes, all grouped by format and then arranged individually by title. The largest portion of the series documents board and membership meetings from the 1970s through the 1990s. The tapes also contain interviews from Hedwig Michel and others who helped with Unity efforts in later years. Also captured in this series are Unity and Nature Conservancy. When information was not found on the item, it was marked unidentified.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
Select images from this collection have been digitized and are available on the Florida Memory web site: https://www.floridamemory.com/discover/photographs/
Reproduction Note:
Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Associated Materials:
Florida Gulf Coast University Library 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565 The Koreshan Collection Florida Gulf Coast University Archives, Special Collections and Digital Initiatives holds additional Koreshan Unity papers transferred to that repository by the Koreshan State Historic Site.
Language Notes:
Ownership/Custodial History:
Publication Note:
General Note:
The NHPRC (National Historical Publications and Records Commission) generously provided grant funding to enable the State Archives of Florida to conduct detailed processing of the Koreshan Unity Papers collection and to develop this finding aid.
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